To preface this review, I’d like to say that I used to hang out with Bytchcraft‘s writer Aaron Reese at various cons before the COVID pandemic, such as C2E2 and Brooklyn’s Flame Con. They were a beautiful, creative soul with an amazing sense of humor and the fiercest sense of fashion. Aaron’s work for Comics Alliance inspired me in my early days as a comic critic, and even though we lost touch in recent years, I loved seeing them share art and images from Bytchcraft on Instagram and was incredibly sad to hear about their passing earlier this year. Reading Bytchcraft #1 was like having one last conversation with Aaron, and I’m glad that the whole comic book reading public can experience their literal magical vision.

Like all good first issues, Bytchcraft #1 establishes its three key characters, chief conflict, and offers an initial look at a world full of danger, magic, and badass queer witches. Aaron Reese and Lema Carril go beyond a simple light/dark magic dichotomy and take a nuanced look at the occult through the perspectives of the series’ three leads, Adriyel, Michele, and Em. Reese gives each lead a completely unique personality and voice as well as a complex web of relationships that’s only hinted at in this first issue. “Emo boi” necromancer Em is my favorite character so far, and some of their dialogue makes me laugh out loud like a line where they mention their dancing style. Bytchcraft deals with apocalypses, creepy cults, and eclipses, but there is still time for fun like an extended night club sequence, which is an opportunity for Carril to show off their flair for fashion and reveal more about the protagonists through their clothing choices.

Speaking of Lema Carril, their line art and Bex Glendining’s majestic color palettes make Bytchcraft #1 a memorable first issue. Carril’s character designs are iconic, but they have storytelling chops as well. For example, they and Aaron Reese use a lot of three panel layouts to play off Wicca’s Rule of Three and reveal the separate, yet unified nature of the book’s main coven. Triangles, and sacred geometry in general, also play a key role in the world of Bytchcraft so this all connects to the creators’ triplicate approach to layouts. To top things off, Glendining adds an extra sheen to sequences with magical energy and a complexity to the dark background colors that play off the characters’ approach to magic. They also make sure the characters are well lit so Reese’s dialogue and Lema Carril’s facial expressions can stand out.

If you enjoyed Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Charmed, but wished that the cast didn’t resemble the contents of a Duke’s mayo bottle so much or had a more in-depth and respectful view of the occult, then Bytchcraft #1 is the comic for you. Aaron Reese and Carril take some massive worldbuilding swings in this first issue while not neglecting the best part of the book, the interactions between Adril, Michele, and Em as well as their guardian, the ethereal Mthr. I can’t to dive into this world that Aaron left behind for all us queer comics reading kids trying to find connection in an uncertain, oppressive world.

Story: Aaron Reese Art: Lema Carril
Colors: Bex Glendining Letters: Morgan Martinez
Story: 8.8 Art: 9.2 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Mad Cave provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics